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What to See
Leopard
[ Panthera Pardus ]
Elusive, powerful, and breathtaking in East Africa’s wild tapestry.
In the dappled shade of an acacia tree, the African leopard waits — silent, unseen, and utterly magnificent. In Africa, nature’s most elusive (and widespread) predator reveals itself only to the patient, offering a fleeting glimpse into the wild’s most enigmatic soul.
The African leopard is a master of stealth and elegance, with males weighing up to 90 kg (200 lbs) and stretching over 2 metres ( 6-7 ft) in length. Its golden coat, marked with distinctive rosettes, allows it to blend seamlessly into varied terrain—from dense forests and rocky outcrops to open savannah. Solitary and elusive, this apex predator is revered for its agility, strength, and haunting beauty.
Leopards are carnivorous ambush hunters, feeding on antelope, monkeys, birds, and even fish. Nocturnal by nature, they rely on keen night vision and stealth to stalk prey, often dragging kills into trees to avoid scavengers. Their solitary lifestyle is punctuated by territorial scent-marking and occasional vocalizations. Adaptable and resilient, leopards thrive in diverse habitats, from arid scrublands to lush riverine forests, making them one of Africa’s most widespread big cats.
In East and Southern Africa, top leopard-viewing destinations include Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Samburu National Reserve, Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ruaha National Park, in Botswana the Okavango Delta and the famous valley of the leopard in South Luangwa, Zambia. Luxury lodges such as Ol Donyo Lodge, Elewana’s Loisaba Tented Camp, and Singita Faru Faru offer prime access to leopard territories, often with expert guides and secluded vantage points. These camps blend indulgent comfort with thrilling wildlife encounters, ideal for spotting this elusive feline in style.
Do see our following guides for all the best parks, best camps & lodges and recommended safari trips to take in the Africa Leopard.
Where to go in Africa
What are the best parks & regions for seeing African Leopards in 2026/27?
A glance at some of the best hotels & lodges for Leopard in 2026/27.
Don't miss our full Where to Go On Safari guide for a full details and ideas......
What are the Best Camps & Lodges for African Leopards for 2026/27?
We highly recommend the following camps & lodges for Leopard for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check latest prices, excursions and availability for you to your schedule.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
From $1,620 per person per night
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Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Volcanoes National Park
From $450 per person per night
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Tubu and Little Tubu Tree Camps
The Okavango Concessions
From $2,940 per person per night
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Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp
Serengeti National Park
From $950 per person per night
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Don't miss our full Top Five Safari Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide for 2026/27
What are your best itineraries and tailormade trips to see African Leopards in 2026/27?
A run through of some of the sample itineraries we have prepared over the years. Please note that we only tailor-make our safaris so these should be used as a guide for both the itinerary and pricing.
A Focus on Botswana
Chobe National Park, The Okavango Concessions, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Zambia
From $5,500 per person
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North and The Beach
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,000 per person
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Selous & Northern Mozambique
Mainland Coast, Nyerere National Park, South of Dar
From $7,000 per person
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An Extraordinary Gorilla Experience
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park
From $8,500 per person
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Best of the North and Beach
Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Zanzibar beaches
From $6,000 per person
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Zambia and Zanzibar
Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Tanzania, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $7,000 per person
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Only Have A Week?
Nyerere National Park, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,500 per person
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A Mobile Camp Exploration
Kwando Linyanti and Selinda, The Okavango Delta
From $6,000 per person
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Lions and Elephants
Amboseli National Park, Nairobi, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $4,500 per person
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The Ultimate South
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, South of Dar, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $7,000 per person
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Authentic Lodges and Mobile Camps
Chobe National Park, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Zambia
From $4,500 per person
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Crocodiles and Leopards
Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park
From $6,000 per person
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Rwanda in 8 days
Akagera National Park, Kigali, Nyungwe National Park, Volcanoes National Park
From $7,000 per person
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A Family Treat
Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Southern Beaches, The Laikipia Plateau
From $5,500 per person
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Rhinos, birds and monkeys
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Entebbe, Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park
From $7,000 per person
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Great Safari, Great Beach
Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $3,500 per person
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Short & Sharp
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,000 per person
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Serengeti and mountain gorillas
Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Volcanoes National Park
From $6,000 per person
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The Ultimate Honeymoon
Nyerere National Park, South of Dar, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
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Lakes and Plains
Lake Naivasha and Nakuru, Nairobi, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $4,000 per person
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Virunga Mountains & Gorilla Highlights
Kigali, Volcanoes National Park
From $5,500 per person
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A Tanzanian Odyssey
Arusha, Katavi National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Northern Tanzania, Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Western Tanzania
From $6,500 per person
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Best of Southern Tanzania
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,500 per person
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Botswana Highlights
Chobe National Park, The Okavango Concessions, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls
From $4,000 per person
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Go On, It Will Be Worth It!
Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Southern Beaches, The Laikipia Plateau
From $7,500 per person
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World Class Waterfall and Safari
Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls
From $7,000 per person
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The Best of Zambia
Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, Victoria Falls
From $7,500 per person
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The Discerning Safari
The Laikipia Plateau, The Masai Mara, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $6,000 per person
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Simple but Classy
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
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Northern Honeymoon June to November
Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
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Highlights of Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Entebbe, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park
From $6,000 per person
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Desert and Delta
Chobe National Park, The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, The Okavango Delta
From $6,500 per person
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A Primate Adventure
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest National Park
From $4,000 per person
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Selous Ruaha & Zanzibar
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,500 per person
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Honeymooners Delight
Amboseli National Park, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $5,500 per person
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Adventure and adrenaline
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Entebbe, Jinja, Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park
From $7,500 per person
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Beach Selous and Zanzibar
Mainland Coast, Nyerere National Park, South of Dar, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,500 per person
See the Trip
Do visit our Africa Safari Finder page to find more trips and locations...
What are the “Big Six” safari animals you must see in 2026/27?
There’s every chance, with a little planning and help from The Africa Specialists™ that you can see every one of your favourite “Big Six” animals in 2026/27. Use our following wildlife guides to the Big Six to get started…
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